Glow-rious

As a makeup artist and a woman who is experiencing aging herself, I strive for the “Glow.” This is my go-to look, and I’m constantly trying new products to help achieve it. Most of us associate glowing, radiant skin with a healthy youthfulness. Let’s face the facts…the aging process is literally sucking (pun intended) the natural glow right out of us. We become drier, and this creates a dulling effect. We all want to keep our youthful appearance for as long as possible, and there are a few tricks and products to help us do just that. You can definitely achieve that glow-rious looking skin with a bit of effort, and it doesn’t have to be rigorous. Let’s see if I can shed some light on this ever-desired look. 

There are a few different ways to get your glow on. First is through skin care. If you’ve read my previous posts, you know I’m passionate about skin care! I encourage reading up on my skin care sections to educate yourself. Exfoliation and hydration are key steps in mastering the glow. You may consider using a vitamin C serum in the morning. Refer to my “Skin Care Essential” post. Beauty oils are an effective way to give a youthful dew as well as suppleness to the skin. Oils can penetrate quickly and can add an all-day hydrated look and feel. If you haven’t experienced a beauty oil, I recommend doing so. Some oils can even offer an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory property to the skin. This is what it boils down to…healthy, well-maintained skin never lies, its glow will show the truth. 

The other way to show the glow is to create an illusion with smoke and mirrors or in other-words…makeup! There are endless options when it comes to enhancing your hi-light. Here are a few examples of different products and techniques.

- You can try a skin/makeup primer that contains luminosity within the actual product. I like this idea for someone who doesn’t wear a lot of makeup. Apply a touch of concealer where needed and dust a tiny bit of a loose powder over top to set into place. This looks very natural and fresh. 

Becca Backlight Priming Filter $38.00. Makeup primer that gives a gorgeous luminosity to the skin.

- You can opt for a liquid or cream highlighting product. I find these blend with the warmth of your skin, almost becoming a part of the skin. The application needs to be thoughtful depending on the texture of the product being used. 

- With thicker consistencies, apply sparingly and use a damp sponge to press into the skin or use a synthetic brush to buff and/or stipple (pat). Sheer formulas can be applied all over before foundation, mixed in with your moisturizer/or foundation or applied over the top in specific areas using your finger tips to dab into place. Cream-based highlighters generally have a smooth feel that blends in easily with your finger tips or you can use whichever tool you prefer. 

- A rule of thumb when using liquid/cream highlighters: apply them under and/or over the top of your favorite liquid or cream foundations. This isn’t the case with powder foundation. You rarely put a liquid or cream over your powders. This can create a real mess with the texture of your products. Powders are used to finish or set your liquids and creams. Start your makeup routine off with the liquid and cream products, then finish with powders.

- Lastly we have powdered highlighters. I find these to be the most commonly used for good reason: ease. Just load your brush up and abracadabra…you’re drenched in a veil of pearlescent goodness! This is where most people start. You see the result happen right in front of your eyes. I do warn those who happen to be heavy-handed when applying powdered highlighters: a little goes a long way. When in doubt, blend it out! The outcome can be a bit much if you’re not careful, but you may be someone who actually likes that look and nothing’s wrong with that. Powders can add a film-like texture and can sit on top of skin making it look more obvious. Dry skin types should be cautious when using powdered products. I prefer creamier, more emollient products for drier skin types.

Try these simple tips when using a powdered highlight:

- Use a soft, fluffy and flexible blush and/or contour brush and apply lightly to the high points of the face (tops of cheekbones, bridge of the nose, under the brow bone, inner corners of the eyes and cupids bow). 

- Use a finishing/makeup spray or even a hydrating mist or facial toner. This will soften an overloaded powder look and give the skin a more natural finish and added hydration. 

- As a final step I like to go over the entire face with a dampened sponge. This will help to pick up excess product that may be sitting on the skin. Do not rub the sponge into your skin, bounce it across the skin gently. 

From a radiant lit-from-within glow to a blinding beam-of-light, there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s achieved through skin care or makeup, just remember this…a Glow-rious looking skin is a youthful looking skin. Happy highlighting!